Cowboys Replace Osa, Trade for Edge, Add 2 LBs in New 7-Round Mock Draft

The newest mock draft goes about filling the remaining gaps left from free agency, using trade backs to take advantage of this class' sweet spot.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:21pm

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The Dallas Cowboys have made some moves in free agency, but they still have work to do in the upcoming draft to truly improve from their 2025 season. With the additions in the secondary, they no longer need to focus on those positions. However, the linebacker room is still a concern, and the trade of Osa Odighizuwa has left a hole at the 4i position. This 7-round mock draft addresses those needs through trades and strategic picks.

Why it matters

The Cowboys are looking to build on their 2025 season and make a deep playoff run in 2026. Nailing the draft will be crucial to their success, as they aim to fill remaining gaps left by free agency moves. This mock draft shows how the team could strategically trade back to acquire more picks and target specific positions of need.

The details

In this mock, the Cowboys trade back from the 12th overall pick to the 31st, adding the 55th overall pick and a 2027 4th-rounder. They then trade the 20th pick to the 32nd, gaining the 64th pick. With their picks, the Cowboys select 4i DT Peter Woods from Clemson, LB Jacob Rodriguez from Texas Tech, Edge Malachi Lawrence from UCF, TE Eli Stowers from Vanderbilt, and trade for veteran Edge Jonathan Greenard from the Vikings. They also add LB Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas and CB Malik Muhammad from Texas.

  • The Cowboys made free agency moves in the first week of the offseason.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in the coming months.

The players

Peter Woods

A young interior defender from Clemson with room to add play strength as he fills out his frame. He's capable in both one- and two-gap schemes and plays with good lower-body explosiveness.

Jacob Rodriguez

A linebacker from Texas Tech who arrived in college as an offensive 'athlete' and leaves as a bigger-than-life, stat-stuffing linebacker. He's uniquely productive with elite tackle, interception and forced fumble production.

Malachi Lawrence

A speedy, edge-turning rusher from UCF who has an array of pass-rushing attacks already in his arsenal. He could make an immediate impact as a specialist for the Cowboys.

Eli Stowers

A tight end from Vanderbilt who is an athletic marvel with elite yards-after-catch promise at the pro level. He would give the Cowboys one of the most versatile TE rooms in the game.

Jonathan Greenard

A veteran edge rusher from the Minnesota Vikings who had 25 sacks across 2023 and 2024 before injuries made 2025 lackluster. Adding him to the Cowboys' defensive line makes a lot of sense.

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What they’re saying

“Woods is a young interior defender with room to add play strength as he fills out his frame. He's not a pure one- or two-gap fit, but he's capable in both schemes. He plays with good lower-body explosiveness into initial contact, keeping his hands and feet synced to work around blocks when needed.”

— Lance Zierlein, NFL.com Analyst

“Rodriguez arrived in college as an offensive 'athlete' and leaves Texas Tech as a bigger-than-life, stat-stuffing linebacker. He's uniquely productive, with elite tackle, interception and forced fumble production.”

— Lance Zierlein, NFL.com Analyst

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This Cowboys mock draft shows how the team can strategically trade back to acquire more picks and target specific positions of need, such as the defensive line and linebacker corps, to improve the roster ahead of the 2026 season.